Equestrian camping near Dillon, Colorado offers several options at elevations ranging from 7,500 to 10,000 feet. Most dispersed camping areas in Arapaho National Forest maintain seasonal access from late May through early October, with summer temperatures typically reaching 70-75°F during daytime and dropping to 40-45°F overnight. Winter camping is limited due to snowfall accumulation that can exceed 200 inches annually in higher elevations.
What to do
Trail riding with water access: At South Fork Rustic Campground, riders find multiple hiking trails branching directly from the camping area. "Located on the banks of the South Fork of the Williams Fork of the Colorado River, this campground reminds me of days gone by when reservations were not a 'thing'," notes David B. "For those with a restless spirit of adventure, trout fishing, hiking, and Geocaching are available in the Southfork area."
Off-road adventures: York Gulch Road offers access to equestrian-friendly trails with moderate terrain. "You are soon connected with forest service road of sorts York gultch. This connects a lot of off grid housing to the highway, well maintained crushed dirt," writes Conner. The road continues to more remote trails suitable for experienced riders with proper equipment.
Mountain views with horse access: Guanella Pass provides access to Continental Divide trails with varied terrain. Karl G. explains, "If you've got a high clearance 4x4 vehicle, turn onto Leavenworth Creek Rd (352) from Guanella Pass. Drive about 3 miles and you'll be in a valley. There's a road you can turn left on in the valley that goes through the creek." These areas accommodate horse trailers and provide sufficient space for setting up portable corrals.
What campers like
Creek access for horses: Kirby Gulch offers stream access ideal for watering horses. "As you drive in, you're met with breathtaking views of the surrounding mountains. You'll find that the first few sites are less desirable in that they are close together and lack tree coverage but keep driving and the sites become more private and pushed back from the road," reports Katelyn W. "The river can be heard from almost every site and it was great to fall asleep to."
Spacious sites for trailers: Horse owners appreciate the ample parking at Sugarloaf Campground. "There are 11 spaces many of which will accommodate RVs (we were able to fit our 30' class C), most will fit small travel trailers/pop-up campers, and all have space for tents," explains David B. "Located in the Arapaho National Forest, Sugarloaf is a small campground found on the Williams Fork of the Colorado River."
Designated riding areas: Many equestrians prefer the established trails near Kenosha Pass Campground. "This campground is beautiful and it is right on the Colorado Trail," notes Laria S. The trailhead access makes for convenient day rides without extensive trailering.
What you should know
Limited equestrian amenities: Most campgrounds near Dillon lack permanent horse facilities. South Fork Rustic Campground has a small corral, though reviewers note: "For equestrians, there is a small corral on the south end of the campground though I've never seen it in use."
Road conditions affect access: Kenosha Pass Campground requires caution with horse trailers on approach roads. "The road is only open to cars in the summer," explains Matt T., while Jim W. warns about Guanella Pass: "We finally had to stop going due to the road through the campground was rotted out due to water and drainage. You almost needed a four wheel drive just to drive through the campground."
Water availability concerns: Water sources can be unreliable. According to David B., "There is a pit toilet and water well though the well has not been functional for some time. Trash dumpsters are on site, and water is available at South Fork campground a short distance away."
Tips for camping with families
Base camp selection: Choose locations with multiple trail options. "Leaving from the immediate area are the Darling Creek trail, the South Fork trail, the Kinney Creek trail and 4x4 road, the Ute Peak trail, and further north, the Williams Peak trail," says David B. about South Fork Campground.
Weekend timing strategies: Holiday weekends require advance planning. Anna shares: "We got there around 9am on the Friday before Labor Day and it was already packed. We found two spots available and chose #37... When we left on Sunday afternoon there were many spots available."
Wildlife awareness: Pine Valley Ranch offers opportunities to view wildlife safely. Taylor C. notes: "This was a cool campsite. We pulled in at night in July and had four spots with different RVs/Pop-Ups...kids had plenty of space, river was rushing, two hiking trails, in between both campsites."
Tips from RVers
Site selection for horse trailers: Kirby Gulch accommodates various rig sizes but requires planning. "Definitely need a vehicle with high clearance since the road is very rocky. There are few places to turn around and if you come on a busier weekend, you may want to grab the first spot you see," advises Anna.
Elevation considerations: Most equestrian-friendly sites sit above 9,000 feet, requiring proper trailer brake maintenance and power considerations. Alison C. cautions about Kirby Gulch: "Definitely have a truck or suv! We have an Audi wagon and it was quite sketchy in some parts and we only made it 2 miles up the road before deciding to not bottom out."
